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On 5 November 2010, the team confirmed an engine partnership for the next two years with [[Renault F1|Renault]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lotusracing.my/news/renault-engine-partnership.aspx|title=Renault Engine Partnership|date=2010-11-05|accessdate=2010-11-05|work=lotusracing.my|publisher=Lotus Racing}}</ref> Due to the uncertainty about the future identity of Lotus, the press release announcing the partnership, however, has not mentioned the famous team name with Renault stating that its supply deal was with '1Malaysia Racing Team'.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://en.espnf1.com/lotus/motorsport/story/32927.html|title=Lotus confirms Renault engine partnership for 2011|date=2010-11-05|accessdate=2010-11-05|publisher=ESPN F1}}</ref>
On 5 November 2010, the team confirmed an engine partnership for the next two years with [[Renault F1|Renault]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lotusracing.my/news/renault-engine-partnership.aspx|title=Renault Engine Partnership|date=2010-11-05|accessdate=2010-11-05|work=lotusracing.my|publisher=Lotus Racing}}</ref> Due to the uncertainty about the future identity of Lotus, the press release announcing the partnership, however, has not mentioned the famous team name with Renault stating that its supply deal was with '1Malaysia Racing Team'.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://en.espnf1.com/lotus/motorsport/story/32927.html|title=Lotus confirms Renault engine partnership for 2011|date=2010-11-05|accessdate=2010-11-05|publisher=ESPN F1}}</ref>


On 11 November 2011, Lotus Racing has announced that its cars will be running in a black and gold colour scheme from the [[2011 Formula One Season]] onwards. This move echoes the evolution of [[Team Lotus]] cars of the past by moving from the iconic green and yellow paint scheme of the first season to the much loved black and gold.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lotusracing.my/news/black-gold-the-evolution-of-lotus-racing.aspx|title=Lotus 2011 Livery|date=2010-11-11|accessdate=2010-11-11|work=lotusracing.my|publisher=Lotus Racing}}</ref>
On 11 November 2011, Lotus Racing has announced that its cars will be running in a black and gold colour scheme from the [[2011 Formula One season]] onwards. This move echoes the evolution of [[Team Lotus]] cars of the past by moving from the iconic green and yellow paint scheme of the first season to the much loved black and gold.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lotusracing.my/news/black-gold-the-evolution-of-lotus-racing.aspx|title=Lotus 2011 Livery|date=2010-11-11|accessdate=2010-11-11|work=lotusracing.my|publisher=Lotus Racing}}</ref>


==Use of Lotus name==
==Use of Lotus name==

Revision as of 10:08, 11 November 2010

Template:Other people3

Malaysia Lotus-Cosworth
Full nameLotus Racing
BaseHingham, Norfolk, United Kingdom
Team principal(s)Tony Fernandes
CEORiad Asmat
Technical directorMike Gascoyne
Formula One World Championship career
First entry2010 Bahrain Grand Prix
Last entry2024 Belgian Grand Prix
Races entered18
Constructors'
Championships		0
Drivers'
Championships		0
Race victories0
Podiums0
Pole positions0
Fastest laps0

Lotus Racing, also referred to by the company name 1Malaysia F1 Team by the Malaysian media[1][2][3] and parliament,[4] is a Formula One team, making its debut in the 2010 Formula One season. Despite Lotus Racing and the former Team Lotus not being connected by much more than name, Team Principal Tony Fernandes was clear that if and when the team were to win it would not be Lotus Racing's first but Lotus' 80th victory.[5] The team have said they will use the Team Lotus name in the 2011 season,[6] but are facing legal action from Group Lotus over the use of the Lotus name.

The team gained its entry after BMW announced they would withdraw from Formula One at the end of the 2009 season. They joined Virgin Racing and Hispania Racing F1 Team as new teams for 2010.

History

Formation

Lotus Racing is operated by 1Malaysia Racing Team Sdn. Bhd., a privately-funded project jointly owned by Tune Group and Naza Group in partnership with the Malaysian Government and a consortium of Malaysian entrepreneurs[7] Proton, the Malaysian car company which owns Lotus Cars has given permission for the team to use the Lotus brand. The Malaysian Government, has, however emphasized that the government itself is not going to invest in the team[8] and that the Malaysian government’s investment is only through Proton.[4] The project is part of the 1Malaysia initiative, intended to promote unity amongst Malaysians.

The team was formed after the Litespeed F3 team approached Malaysian entrepreneur Dato' Sri Tony Fernandes.[9] Litespeed had made their own bid to enter the 2010 season with the Team Lotus name, but were not awarded an entry.

It marks the return of the Lotus name as a constructor to Formula One for the first time since 1994, when the original British company Team Lotus stopped competing in Formula One. The connection between the new and old teams is the Lotus name and the owner of Lotus Cars, Proton, being an investor in the present team.

Dato' Sri Tony Fernandes, founder and CEO of the Malaysian-based Tune Group, owner of the AirAsia airline, is the team principal. Having initially planned to stand down from the role after the season begins,[10] he has since indicated that he will carry on in this position.[11] The team's technical director is Mike Gascoyne.[7] Lotus shareholders S. M. Nasarudin and Kamarudin Meranun are the deputy team principals.[12]

The team announced the appointment of Riad Asmat as the Chief Executive Officer of 1Malaysia F1 Team Sdn. Bhd.[1] Asmat was formerly working in the managing director's office of Proton Holdings Berhad as General Manager. In Proton Holdings Berhad in 2006, Riad was tasked with the development of its motorsports programme. This included the R3 and Proton Axle Team. Riad also managed the company's involvement in A1 Team Malaysia. Keith Saunt is also appointed as Chief Operating Officer of the team and has been selected to manage the technical organisation in Britain reporting directly to Mike Gascoyne. Saunt was tasked with overseeing technical operations on a day-to-day basis at the team's current facility in Hingham, Norfolk. His previous experience includes senior roles with Team Lotus, Benetton Formula, Renault F1 and most recently Red Bull Racing, where he held the role of chief operating officer and director of Red Bull Technology.[13]

The team will initially be based at the RTN (Racing Technology Norfolk Ltd.) facility in Norfolk, UK, 10 miles (16 km) from the Lotus Cars factory. The team’s future design, R&D, manufacturing and technical centre was initially to be a purpose-built facility at Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit,[7] but no clear timetable for this move was made.[14] In an interview with the BBC after the 2010 Malaysian Grand Prix Fernandes stated that the team would in fact remain in Norfolk, as "Lotus is a British brand, that will never change. It's just Malaysian finance and we think that makes sense".[15]

On 2 March 2010, the team announced that a sponsorship deal had been signed with CNN.[16]

2010 season

Jarno Trulli leads Heikki Kovalainen during practice for the 2010 Malaysian Grand Prix.

Following the team's late acceptance into F1 following BMW Sauber's departure Gascoyne said "We've got a great heritage that we've got to live up to". He also said they wanted to rival the debut of Brawn GP but said that would be a greater challenge as the Brawn team already had a car ready for racing all they needed was financing. He also mentioned the main objective was to have a car on the grid in Bahrain at 2010.[17]

Development of the 2010 car started late, due to the late acceptance of the team's entry. Working with Fondtech on aerodynamics, the team will use engines supplied by Cosworth,[7] and gearboxes from Xtrac.[18] The design was revealed in October 2009 at the start of the wind tunnel programme.[19] On 17 November, Gascoyne and Fernandes gave a joint interview saying they're "feeling the pressure of the famous name".[20] The 2010 car, named the T127, was officially launched in London on 12 February 2010.[21]

On 14 November, Fernandes said to the press that the team had signed their first driver, but without giving any name.[22] One month later, the team announced their drivers for season 2010 as former Toyota driver Jarno Trulli and McLaren's Heikki Kovalainen.[23] Malaysian driver Fairuz Fauzy was also confirmed as the team's test and reserve driver.[24]

Mahathir Mohamad, a former prime minister of Malaysia who was touted as the Father of Motor Racing in Malaysia for being the visionary behind the birth of the Sepang International Circuit and the Malaysian Grand Prix, visited the team on 23 February 2010 at the team's base at Norfolk. He said he came because he did not believe the team could get the car ready in time for the season opening race in Bahrain but was proven wrong when the car was ready and said that he was impressed with what he saw. “They actually got the car running. Well, I lost my bet but fortunately, no money is involved.”[25] On 27 June 2010, Lotus marked the 500th race in the Lotus marque's history. During the British Grand Prix it became known that Lotus were nearing a deal to use Renault engines for the 2011 Formula One season, as well as a formal renaming of the team to Team Lotus.[26][27]

2011 season

Lotus Racing announced on 5 October 2010 that the team had agreed a deal with Red Bull Technology for the supply of gearboxes and hydraulic systems from 2011 onwards.[28] As part of a major technical team upgrade many Force India staff were leaving their jobs to join the team and aid with car development.[29][30]

On 24 October 2010, the team confirmed that it will build a dedicated wind-tunnel facility at its British base. In addition, the team and its GP2 outfit Team Air Asia will expand operations at the existing factory site to take over a further two units, giving Team Air Asia a permanent home alongside the Lotus operation.[31]

On 5 November 2010, the team confirmed an engine partnership for the next two years with Renault.[32] Due to the uncertainty about the future identity of Lotus, the press release announcing the partnership, however, has not mentioned the famous team name with Renault stating that its supply deal was with '1Malaysia Racing Team'.[33]

On 11 November 2011, Lotus Racing has announced that its cars will be running in a black and gold colour scheme from the 2011 Formula One season onwards. This move echoes the evolution of Team Lotus cars of the past by moving from the iconic green and yellow paint scheme of the first season to the much loved black and gold.[34]

Use of Lotus name

The team originally took a licence from Group Lotus (owner of Lotus Cars) that allowed them to use the Lotus name for the 2010 season.[35] Group Lotus, with agreement from their parent company Proton, have now terminated the licence for future seasons as a result of the flagrant and persistent breaches of the licence by the team.[35]

On 24 September Tony Fernandes announced in a press release that his Tune Group had acquired Team Lotus Ventures Ltd, the company led by David Hunt since 1994 when Team Lotus had stopped competing in Formula One, and with it full ownership of the rights of the Team Lotus brand and heritage. The team confirmed that they would be known as Team Lotus from 2011 onwards.

In September 2010, it was announced that Tony Fernandes would be expanding his interests to include a GP2 Series team, to be known as Team Air Asia, named for one of Fernandes' companies, Air Asia. There is already a Lotus Racing supported team known as Lotus Junior Team in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series. However, while it was announced that Team Air Asia would be joining the GP2 grid, fellow GP2 team ART Grand Prix announced a joint venture with Lotus Cars, with their GP2 and GP3 teams to be renamed "Lotus ART" from 2011 onwards in a similar arrangement to the one that has seen Lotus Cars sponsoring Takuma Sato and KV Racing Technology in the IndyCar Series.

Lotus Cars launched legal action against Lotus Racing, claiming that Tony Fernandes did not have the rights to use the Lotus name because David Hunt was never in a position to sell them.[36] Some commentators even went so far as to suggest that this was an attempt by Lotus Cars to force Fernandes to stop using the Lotus name with a view to launching a second Lotus effort in Formula 1 in conjunction with ART Grand Prix; ART had previously submitted a tender to join the 2011 Formula One grid, but withdrew after failing to secure a budget. With the support of Lotus Cars, ART would have the funding needed to enter Formula One.[37]

On September 27, Proton issued a statement saying that Group Lotus owned all rights to the Lotus name in the automotive sector, including Formula One, and that Fernandes has no rights to use the brand in the 2011 season.[35] Fernandes did however state that the team will go to court if necessary to protect the brand name.

Young drivers progamme

Lotus Racing's started to help young drivers make progress when it signed Fairuz Fauzy as its test driver. The team's initial challenger the Lotus T127 was tested by Fauzy in February 2010. Lotus subsequently signed 16 year old Malaysian driver Nabil Jeffri to take part in an aero test on 1 September, as part of Lotus' young driver development programme. This made Jeffri the youngest driver to ever test a Formula One car.[38][39] Team Principal Tony Fernandes will field a team in the GP2 Series in 2011 called Team Air Asia.[40] Technical director Mike Gascoyne stated that a junior team in Team Air Asia was really helpful. The GP2 will also be in the same base as Lotus Racing and Team Air Asia will be embedded inside the base and the two teams will share resources. Gascoyne also stated that they planned to use their test and reserve driver Fairuz Fauzy and Nabil Jeffri as the team's drivers. Gascoyne further mentioned that the fact that GP2 were using Pirelli tyres also helped as they would be able to get technical data and add it onto the Formula One car.[41]

Team sponsorships

Official suppliers

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Chassis Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Points WCC
2010 Lotus T127 Cosworth CA2010 V8 B BHR
 AUS
 MAL
 CHN
 ESP
 MON
 TUR
 CAN
 EUR
 GBR
 GER
 HUN
 BEL
 ITA
 SIN
 JPN
 KOR
 BRA
 ABU
 0* 10th*
Italy Jarno Trulli 17 DNS 17 Ret 17 15 Ret Ret 21 16 Ret 15 19 Ret Ret 13 Ret 19
Finland Heikki Kovalainen 15 13 NC 14 DNS Ret Ret 16 Ret 17 Ret 14 16 18 16 12 13 18

* Season in progress.

References

  1. ^ a b Riad Asmat From Proton Is New 1Malaysia F1 Racing Team CEO, Bernama 30 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-31.
  2. ^ 1Malaysia F1 team to be formed (Update 2) The Star online, 15 September 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-31.
  3. ^ 1 Malaysia F1 Team, Tony to lead, Blogspot 1 September 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-30.
  4. ^ a b (Parliament) Pelaburan Kerajaan dalam Pasukan F1 Malaysia, Ornithopter (Blogspot), 30 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-31.
  5. ^ "Car had to be true to Lotus, insists Gascoyne". crash.net. Crash Media Group. 2010-02-15. Retrieved 2010-03-07.
  6. ^ English, Steven; Noble, Jonathan (2010-09-24). "Lotus confirms Team Lotus name deal". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 2010-09-24.
  7. ^ a b c d "Lotus confirmed for 2010 as FIA pushes for 14 teams". The Official Formula 1 Website. 15 September 2009. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
  8. ^ No govt equity in 1Malaysia F1 Team project, The Star Online, 26 September 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-31.
  9. ^ "Exclusive Q&A with Lotus's Tony Fernandes". The Official Formula 1 Website. 2009-09-25. Retrieved 2009-11-29.
  10. ^ Noble, Jonathan (2009-09-18). "Lotus boss plans to step down soon". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
  11. ^ "Italy's Jarno Trulli heads Lotus F1 shortlist". BBC Sport. BBC. 2009-12-09. Retrieved 2010-02-28.
  12. ^ Elizalde, Pablo (2010-02-16). "Lotus strengthens management team". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 2010-02-16.
  13. ^ 1 Malaysia Lotus F1 appoints former Proton GM as CEO, The Malaysian Insider, 31 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-31.
  14. ^ "Lotus stalls on Malaysian move". ESPNF1.com. ESPN EMEA Ltd. 2010-02-13. Retrieved 2010-02-14.
  15. ^ "Lotus Racing to stay in Norfolk, says Tony Fernandes". BBC Sport. BBC. 4 April 2010. Retrieved 7 April 2010.
  16. ^ Elizalde, Pablo (2010-03-02). "Lotus Racing joins forces with CNN". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 2010-03-02.
  17. ^ "BBC SPORT | Motorsport | Formula 1 | Lotus hope to rival Brawn debut". BBC News. 2009-10-20. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
  18. ^ "Lotus target February car launch". BBC News. 2009-10-15. Retrieved 2009-10-15.
  19. ^ Lotus reveals 2010 F1 design, Racecar Engineering, 14 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-31.
  20. ^ Benson, Andrew (2009-11-17). "BBC SPORT | Motorsport | Formula 1 | Lotus feel weight of famous name". BBC News. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
  21. ^ Elizalde, Pablo (2010-01-14). "Lotus reveals 2010 car launch date". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 2010-01-14.
  22. ^ "Lotus F1 team sign first driver". BBC News. 2009-11-14. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
  23. ^ "Prime Minister announces Lotus Racing 2010 drivers – Lotus F1 Fan Site". Retrieved 2009-12-14.
  24. ^ "Trulli, Kovalainen confirmed at Lotus". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. 2009-12-14. Retrieved 2009-12-23.
  25. ^ Tuck Wo, Choi (2010-02-23). "Lotus F1 Racing team must win, says Dr Mahathir". The Star. Star Publications (Malaysia) Berhad. Retrieved 2010-02-23.
  26. ^ Benson, Andrew (2010-07-12). "Lotus set to switch to Renault engines next season". BBC Sport. Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone: BBC. Retrieved 2010-07-13.
  27. ^ "Cosworth, Lotus agree to end deal". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. 2010-09-12. Retrieved 2010-09-12.
  28. ^ "Lotus to use Red Bull gearbox in 2011". ESPN F1. ESPN Emea Ltd. 2010-10-05. Retrieved 2010-10-05.
  29. ^ Noble, Jonathan; Elizalde, Pablo (2010-10-18). "Green to replace Smith at Force India". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  30. ^ Collantine, Keith (2010-06-02). "Mark Smith leaves Force India for Lotus". F1 Fanatic. Keith Collantine. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  31. ^ "Wind Tunnel Lays Foundation For Future Success". lotusracing.my. Lotus Racing. 2010-10-24. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  32. ^ "Renault Engine Partnership". lotusracing.my. Lotus Racing. 2010-11-05. Retrieved 2010-11-05.
  33. ^ "Lotus confirms Renault engine partnership for 2011". ESPN F1. 2010-11-05. Retrieved 2010-11-05.
  34. ^ "Lotus 2011 Livery". lotusracing.my. Lotus Racing. 2010-11-11. Retrieved 2010-11-11.
  35. ^ a b c Noble, Jonathan (2010-09-27). "Proton: Team Lotus name not allowed". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 2010-09-27.
  36. ^ Cooper, Adam (2010-09-22). "Battle over use of Lotus name". Adam Cooper's F1 Blog. Adam Cooper. Retrieved 2010-09-27.
  37. ^ Saward, Joe (2010-09-23). "An F1 mess developing in Malaysia". Joe Saward's Grand Prix Blog. WordPress. Retrieved 2010-09-27.
  38. ^ "Lotus sign 16 year old to development programme". bernama.com. Bernama. 2010-08-06. Retrieved 2010-08-06.
  39. ^ "Jeffri becomes youngest ever driver to test a Formula One car". ESPN F1. ESPN Emea Ltd. 2010-09-02. Retrieved 2010-09-02.
  40. ^ Glendenning, Mark (2010-09-21). "Carlin and Air Asia to join GP2 grid". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 2010-09-27.
  41. ^ Noble, Jonathan; Elizalde, Pablo (2010-10-18). "Lotus: GP2 team a boost for F1 squad". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
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